Finding The Best Nursing School Programs

Are you interested in entering the health care field? Do you want to help people but are unsure what options you have as a nurse? If so, this article may be able to help you learn about some different nursing school programs available.

One option is to become a nurse assistant, which you can do through the Red Cross CNA class (Certified Nursing Assistant). Though you can get this certification through many nursing programs, the Red Cross offers a nationally recognized program.

The majority of people start as a Certified Nursing Assistant. The CNA is basically a nurse’s aide. It is entry-level work because the CNA requires little training, and you will perform simple tasks like bathing and feeding patients and making beds. The technical programs that train you for this career only take a few weeks to complete and they include practical experience. Once your education is completed you can be certified and begin your career.

You may want to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. They can do the work of the CNA plus medicate, perform injections, and take note of a patient’s progress. These nurses follow the instructions of the RN. This position provides more in-depth care and demands a slightly more intense education. You will have to obtain an associate’s degree in nursing, a one to two year endeavor. Also, you will be required to pass the NCLEX-PN exam before licensure.

A Registered Nurse or RN can provide all the care of the CNA, LPN, plus have added responsibilities in patient care and surgery and take their orders directly from physicians. This type of nurse will oversee the LPNs and CNAs. To be an RN, the minimum requirement is an associate’s degree in nursing. A four-year bachelor’s degree, though, is more widely preferred. No matter which educational approach you take to becoming an RN, you will still have to take and pass the NCLEX-RN before licensed and able to work.

If you are already an LPN or RN, universities offer you options to continue your education. There is a program called RN to BSN, which provides a registered nurse with only an associate’s degree to achieve a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The same exists for an LPN but is slightly different. If you still want to take your education farther, you can climb all the way up to a PhD with hard work and ambition.

Hopefully, you are now not as confused as you were about the types of nursing school programs and nurse classifications. They all take work, even the Red Cross CNA class, but give you a great career helping people in need. Health care systems grow exponentially each year, so there is always a high demand for nurses. Talk about job security!
About the Author:
Click here if you’d like to learn more about Nursing School Programs